MAY 29 | 2 JOHN 1:1-9

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DAILY READING

2 John 1:1-9

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REFLECTION

Guard Against Falsehood

by Judy Webb

To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth--and not I only but also all who know the truth...it has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. (2 John2:1,4)

Verse one is an interesting set of words, and requires further study and research. Some sources say the lady could be several things.

1.    The chosen lady could be the church, the Bride of Christ

2.    The elect Kyria – the Greek equivalent to the Aramaic name, Martha

3.     Some feel John is writing to a prominent unnamed Christian lady, in whose house they met. And who with other believers is among the elect of God

In any case, John is impressed with those keeping the truth and walking in the truth. As we know in our own world, truth can be fleeting. It often must be sought out and searched for. Ever since 2020 and covid, to me, truth seems to be elusive and often ignored. I remember writing in my journal while struggling to discern truth in our upside-down world. I was trying to find truth and concluding that the Bible is the only place to find absolute truth. Then I began digging into scripture and looking for answers.

Truth is the foundation of faith and truth is the basis of love. Truth cannot be based on feelings. There are many deceivers in this world. Followers of Jesus have three responsibilities:

1. Walk in the Truth

2. Know the Truth

3. Protect the truth.

There is one way to know the truth and that is to read our Bibles daily and study the words. We need to know the truth so we can identify the lies of the enemy.  Don’t be deceived or exploited by false teachers.

PRAYER

Dear Lord,

Truth is the only thing we have to hold on to as this world spins so out of control. But, in reality, You are the only control that should matter to us. When we relinquish our need to control to You and allow the Holy Spirit it take over your will is done.

May 28 | 2 Kings 4:42-44

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DAILY READING

2 Kings 4:42-44

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REFLECTION

God's People Are Fed

by Dan Kidd

A renowned Old Testament scholar, Walter Kaiser once said "I love the New Testament--it reminds me so much of the Old." Today's story, though found in the second book of the histories of Israel's kings, sounds rather similar to two stories we encounter in the Gospels. In Mark 6, and again in Mark 8 we hear of Jesus miraculously feeding multitudes with but only a few loaves of bread and a few fish. As if it were not impressive enough that God would use humble offerings to feed multitudes not just once but twice, we then (re-)discover in the Old Testament that this is something of a pattern for the Lord.

Lately I've found myself returning time and again to this little phrase in the Lord's prayer: "give us this day our daily bread." On its face, this is a rather unassuming request. Given the multitude of things we need, want, and hope for from the Lord, a request for a day's worth of bread isn't altogether that remarkable. But within this phrase, baked into if you will, is the profound relationship between God's provisions and our contentment. "If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." A fed belly, along with some clothes, if we allow them, can be all we need in order to embrace the contentment the Lord intends for us. No wonder we so often see God's people (and Jesus himself) feeding each other!

One of the things I strongly recommend for small groups--bordering on an essential--is that they have a routine of eating together. For some groups this simply means providing a snack, for others in an occasional meal, and some groups opt to share a meal nearly every time they gather. There's something about eating together, and providing each other with food, that feels so natural to Christian fellowship that I now think of not eating as an exception to the rule.

One of the many extraordinary benefits of being the Church, of being God's family with one another, is that we get to share our food, and that the Lord uses our humble offerings in abundant blessings. Surprisingly so. Who can blame this man from Baal Shalishah for thinking his 20 loaves would be too few to feed a hundred men? How often do we underestimate what the Lord might do with our meager contributions. But, as we see today, the way of the Lord is and has always been to use his people to provide for one another and bless each other in multitudes. It should be no surprise then, that one of the persistent illustrations of the Kingdom of God is a banquet.

PRAYER

Lord we are grateful for the multitude of ways you provide for us and bless us. We are thankful that you have given us the each other, your Church, that we receive their gifts and can love others through our gifts. We pray that you would indeed give us this day our daily bread, and use us as you will to attend to the needs of others. As we eat with each other, bless us, fill us, and draw us into deeper love for each other and with you.

May 27 | 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

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DAILY READING

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

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REFLECTION

Prayer and Gratitude

by Pr. Dave Mann

Paul’s relationship with his fellow believers is flavored by an attitude of gratitude.  First of all, Paul often writes about his prayers for the recipients of his letters.

• Romans 1:8

• 1 Corinthians 1:4

• Ephesians 1:15-16

• Philippians 1:3

• Colossians 1:3

• 1 Thessalonians 1:2

• 2 Thessalonians 1:3

• Philemon 1:4

Paul also exhorts the readers to pray to the Lord on his behalf and for the ministry of the gospel. There are too many references to list them all in this limited venue, but it would be a worthy project to put together a list of times that Paul expresses thanksgiving and requests prayer. Nevertheless, here are references just in the short letters to the Thessalonians which reflect Paul’s prayerful attitude of gratitude. Despite beatings, imprisonments, and difficulties, Paul’s life is marked by gratitude and prayer.

• 1 Thessalonians 2:13

• 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10

• 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

• 1 Thessalonians 5:24-25

• 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

• 2 Thessalonians 2:13

• 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2

Verse 1 of today’s text is one of many references where Paul asks for prayer. Paul depends on the prayer support from the Thessalonians so that the Word of the Lord might spread rapidly and be honored just as it was among them. This request is not just a pleasantry that is written to be generally polite. This is a necessity in the spiritual warfare that comes with the territory of gospel ministry.

As we read in verses 2 and 3, there is resistance against the gospel. There are evil and wicked people, as well as the evil one himself. They do not want the message of Christ to spread. This is just as true in the 21st century as it was in the 1st century. We should not be surprised to encounter evidence of anti-Christ behavior.

What is our reaction to this combat? Look at the bookends of today’s passage – verse 1 at the start and verses 4-5 at the conclusion. First, we pray. The battle begins on our knees. And at the conclusion, we have will confidence that God is at work and that he will effect his will through the body of Christ. God will cause his church to be obedient to his word – to do now and to continue doing in the future what he commands. It is not always easy. That is why Paul urges the Thessalonians to be directed by God’s love and to continue in Christ’s perseverance.

May our lives be marked similarly.

PRAYER

Lord God, I pray that you would work by your Holy Spirit in my life, that I might be marked by prayer and gratitude. When I meet up with resistance to God’s work, may your love and perseverance strengthen my resolve, in Jesus’ name, Amen.